THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University will host its popular Chinese New celebration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in Soiland Recreation Center.

The festive event will celebrate the Year of the Dragon, the mightiest of the signs, with a traditional lion dance, Chinese acrobats and gong fu demonstrations. There will be dancing, singing and Chinese music. Authentic Chinese food will be served, vendors will sell items ranging from jewelry to plants, and volunteers will write people’s names in Chinese. The event will also feature exhibits on history and art, including Chinese brush paintings and other works by local artists. Door prizes and traditional red envelopes will be distributed.

China will enter the 4,709th year on Jan. 23. A creature of legend, the dragon is the ultimate symbol of success and happiness. It represents power and wealth and the Chinese are eager to have children during the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese holidays. The holiday lasts 15 days and focuses on bringing good luck for the new year.

According to legend, Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian. To protect themselves, villagers put out food to satisfy the Nian. Later, finding that the beast feared the color red, they hung red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. Today, adults give red envelopes, often containing money, to children to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the coming year. Lanterns symbolize the brightness of spring. In dragon and lion dances, a group of dancers parade under elaborately decorated dragon or lion costumes to scare away bad luck.

CLU’s Languages and Cultures Department and Multicultural Programs are sponsoring the free event.

Soiland Recreation Center is located in Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, which is near the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard on the Thousand Oaks campus. For more information, contact Daniel Lawrence at 805-493-3489 or lawrenc@callutheran.edu.